Improvement in animal-traps



UNITED STATES PATENT OEEIoE.

DAVID N. PHELPS, OF SAN LEANDRO, CALIFORNIA.

IMPROVEMENT IN ANIMAL-TRAPS. A

Specification forming' part of Letters Patent No. 58,286., dated September 2T, 1866 To all whom it may concern.-

Beit known that I, DAVID NEVINs PnELPs,

of San Leandro, county of Alameda, State of' -to which it most nearly appertains to make and use my said invention or improvements without further invention or experiment.

Referring to the drawings, A represents a piece of wire, the center ot' which is bent or twisted so as to form nearly a double curl or spring, B, to obtain strength and elasticity'. One arm of this wire is in form ot' nearly a halt'- circle, C, and/when sprung` is crossed by a parallel arm, D, which is nearly straight, and which constitutes the hold or trap for the ani mal. A portion of the arm D is bent at its end with a flathead, E, around which a piece of wire-ot' smaller diameter than that ot' the main portion of the trap-is coiled, constitut ing a spring` Aor arm, F, the end of which is formed into an eye, Gr. Through this eye is inserted a wire still smaller in size, and kept in place by a single twist, one end of which is bent in the form of a contracted half-circle, to be removed, in setting, a short distance back from the main circle C, so as to catch the animal near the neck. To' this piece the bait is attached. The other end of this wirehas a straight arm, H, with bent end, which forms a catch to -be placed under the arm of the main portion of the wire, A, crossing it at right angles back of the curve. A notch, I, is made at the end ofthe half-circle, or curve, or arm C, and when the parallel arm D is borne down it ies into it and the arm Fis brought around against the curved portion or end of the circle C, holding it in the notch I, when the catch is placed under the arm A, back of the circle, which constitutes the setting` of the trap.

A stick may be placed through the spring in the end of the trap to keep it upright, and a box or other device placed in front of the bait, so as to insure the animals passing;` through the curve to reach the bait.

My improved trap will be found very ser- 4viceable for catching gophcrs-those pests ot' California farmers-as well as rats and other animals.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

A trap constructed ot' wire or iron, A, with mainspring B, semicircle C, parallel straight arm D, with bent head F E, said arm crossing' the semicircle and forming the hold when Sprung; when set, heldin place by the bent arm H, and sprung by'bait Hf, substantially as described, and for the purposes setforth.

' In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal.

DAVID N. PHELPS. Witnesses:

C. W. M. SMITH, E. J. COWLEY, Jr. 

